If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Tarp ridgelines are completely independent from hammock ridgelines. You can have one, both or neither. I usually have a hammock ridgeline and never have a tarp ridgeline.

“Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall when the wise are banished from the public councils because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded because they flatter the people, in order to betray them.” ~Judge Joseph Story

I use TWO ridgelines, because my hammock tarp is also used as a shelter under which I cook and chill......

by using a ridgeline with a 10 X 10 nylon tarp, corner to corner...I can leave the hammock in the snakeskins until it's time to crash, and be out of the rain under the tarp to cook or hang with friends...when it's time to crash just slide the snakeskins back and throw in the pad and bag........

with the tarp independent of the hammock, it's possible to pack just the hammock body into the snakeskins, keeping it dry. The tarp then provides a dry place to breakfast and pack up in the rain....on those days, the tarp is last to be packed, and is tied to the outside of the pack where it is available for use during stops, and immediate setup at days end.....

I use TWO ridgelines, because my hammock tarp is also used as a shelter under which I cook and chill......

by using a ridgeline with a 10 X 10 nylon tarp, corner to corner...I can leave the hammock in the snakeskins until it's time to crash, and be out of the rain under the tarp to cook or hang with friends...when it's time to crash just slide the snakeskins back and throw in the pad and bag........

with the tarp independent of the hammock, it's possible to pack just the hammock body into the snakeskins, keeping it dry. The tarp then provides a dry place to breakfast and pack up in the rain....on those days, the tarp is last to be packed, and is tied to the outside of the pack where it is available for use during stops, and immediate setup at days end.....

I use the McCat and do not need a ridge line under the tarp. If you tie to the corners, then pull the corner tie outs to the trees you may be able to get by without a ridge line. One of the things brought up on WB is that a ridge line on the tarp would damage the nylon of the tarp. Have you seen any of this?

I normally keep a 32oz narrow-mouth Nalgene bottle inside my HH with me. I simply hang it from the loop that connects the lid to the bottle by opening the bottle, putting the loop around the ridge line, and then screwing the cap back on. I can then slide it back and forth to get it out of my way.

I have thought about cutting a small slit in the netting right where it joins the hammock, near my head, and then hanging my water bladder on the outside of the hammock and then running the drinking tube inside the hammock. I would probably sew some velco on the hole so that I could close it up when not in use. Instant hammock hydration port!

Hammock Engineer...No damage in over two years of use (Moderate)...keep in mind that the ridgeline will alternate corner to corner (Draw an X in a box), so wear is spread out over the tarp...

I have noticed absolutely NO wear on the tarp, and it has withstood windy and upon occasion Tornadic wind speeds...

As for hydration, I use a piece of paracord with a mini biner cliped to it...the cord is looped around the neck of whatever, Nalgene or commercial plastic 20 Oz water bottle, and is clipped to the netting ridgeline....when not needed the bottle is pushed back behind my head, where it hangs against the sleeping pad until i drag it down to use it...

I normally keep a 32oz narrow-mouth Nalgene bottle inside my HH with me. I simply hang it from the loop that connects the lid to the bottle by opening the bottle, putting the loop around the ridge line, and then screwing the cap back on. I can then slide it back and forth to get it out of my way.

I have thought about cutting a small slit in the netting right where it joins the hammock, near my head, and then hanging my water bladder on the outside of the hammock and then running the drinking tube inside the hammock. I would probably sew some velco on the hole so that I could close it up when not in use. Instant hammock hydration port!

When I was out on my last overnighter, I had a similar idea, only I thought about sewing in a permanent "access port" into the hammock. Something like the expandable rubber grommets used in the firewall of your car to feed wires from under the hood into the passenger area.

You can feed your hydration tube through the port, but not have to worry about it being an access point for skeeters and gnats if you don't have your tube pulled through, because it closes up and seals. Oh, I didn't come up w/these dimensions by the way, it was just the pic I found.